24 June 2011

Before leaving the States for my current summer adventures in Taiwan, my family and I had a nice weekend together celebrating my brother's graduation from Stanford. Being in Palo Alto, my brother and I decided to take our parents to a fantastic Turkish restaurant on Birch Street. We'd been there before, my brother and I, and had thoroughly enjoyed our experience, sitting outside in the dappled shade and relishing the flavors of an honest-to-goodness Döner--something quite rare this side of the Atlantic!

Our expectations for a great meal on this second visit were fully met by the creative, tasty dishes and hospitably attentive service. If you're longing for the flavors of Turkey but are stuck in the Bay Area, you've simply got to check out Anatolian Kitchen.

Every meal starts out with an assortment of fresh, house-baked breads with a vinegar, oil, and herb dip...

I couldn't resist getting the Döner wrap again--soft, house-made flatbread spread with tahini sauce and wrapped around lettuce, tomato, and thick slices of marinated lamb and beef that has been cooked on a gyro-style rotisserie. Mmmm, one of the best sandwiches ever!

From their beautiful weekend brunch menu, my brother ordered the panini with spicy beef sausage, mozzarella, and fried egg, which came with a refreshing side salad and lightly-pickled vegetables. Gorgeous colors with a wonderful combination of flavors and textures.

Again, I can't say enough about the well-prepared food and the exemplary service we received. For a delightful meal, head on over to Anatolian Kitchen in Palo Alto, California!